Regulation 44 Independent Visitor

Tender description

<strong><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Call for Quotes - Cornwall Regulation 44 Independent Visitors</span></strong> <strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)"> </span></strong> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">We are looking for an experienced organisation to provide Independent Regulation 44 Monitoring Visits to our residential Children’s Homes across Cornwall.  This is a joint contract between Cornwall Council and Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust (CPFT). </span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">The Independent Monitoring Visits take place once a month in each Residential Children's Homes, in line with Regulation 44 in The Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015. </span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">The Regulation 44 visits help us to form a view on a home’s ability to safeguard and promote children’s and young people’s welfare.  In particular, as a placing authority we also use the visits to check that:</span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Where the children and young people live is safe</span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">The home provides a healthy, happy environment for the children and young people to thrive in.</span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">The children’s and young people’s wishes and feelings are being listened to and that there are meetings happening within the home to enable them to have their say.</span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Any previous recommendations on areas for improvement have been acted on.</span>   <strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%">Scope of Visits</span></strong> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%">We have eight homes, currently, six operational with two still registered as children’s homes, but without children residing there due to staff recruitment difficulties.</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%">The requirement is monthly visits to each home - six visits per month, comprising of 4 hours per home visit, which will include any telephone discussions and 2 hours to write up reports. Mileage is included in the set cost of the visits.</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%">The homes are spread across Cornwall and located in Camborne, Redruth, Truro, St Blazey and Liskeard.  The two non-operational homes may require light touch visits from time to time.</span> <strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%">Term of the Contract </span></strong> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%">Initially 2 years (1^st April 2023 – 31^st March 2025) with option to extend for a further year (ending 31^st March 2026).</span> <strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%">Price of Contract </span></strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%">£340 per visit, 6 visits each month, £24,480 per year.</span></strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%">Total contract value= £48,960 over 2 years. </span></strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%"> If the two additional homes become operational this price of the contract will rise to reflect this. </span></strong> <strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Requirements of service</span></strong> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">The Independent Visits will provide assessments based on critical reflection, on whether the homes and services are effectively:</span> <span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif"> •<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">             </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">Safeguarding disabled children.</span> <span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif">•<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">             </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">Promoting the well-being of disabled children.</span> <span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif">•<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">             </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">Evidencing how individual needs are being met, alongside how targets and outcomes are being progressed</span> <span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif">•<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">             </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">Using ways to hear and respond to the child’s voice.</span> <span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif">•<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">             </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">Partnership working with parents, and other involved professionals</span> <span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif">•<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">             </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">Ensuring that the premises are homely and welcoming.</span> <span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif">•<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">             </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">Completing records required to ensure compliance with OFSTED regulations (where these include children’s support plans, risk assessments and daily recording).</span> <span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif">•<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">             </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">Ensuring the stability of the management and staff teams alongside the continued development of the staff team.</span> <span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif">•<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">             </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">Proving clear processes /evidence to demonstrate leadership and management of the home.</span> <strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Key Outputs and Responsibilities </span></strong> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">The Independent Visitors must complete the following actions and deliver the key outputs: Any concerns are reported within 24 hours of the home visit, to the Registered Home Manager and Responsible Individual(s). </span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Visits are completed monthly as required, and a report is produced within 5 working days, using the provided standardised template, and sent to the Registered Manager, Service Manager for comment. The final report is then submitted to Ofsted in line with regulatory requirements. The progress of actions identified by the Registered Managers, in the previous month’s visit are monitored.</span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Findings of Reg 44 Reports are summarised and used to inform meeting with Service Managers responsible for Children’s Homes, on a six-monthly basis. Summaries will include themes, issues, progress on actions and the escalation of any serious issues found during visits.</span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">To ensure safe and quality care is maintained by each home in line with the quality standards.</span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">To ensure that staff are aware of the procedures relating to care practice, complaints, compliments, medication, safeguarding and how this links to following support plans for the child alongside recording and writing summary reports to evidence progress for the child.  </span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">To work at all times in compliance with all Cornwall Council Policies and Procedures, Cornwall NHS Foundation Trust, Health & Safety guidance and the Protection of Vulnerable Children & Young People and Safeguarding Policy and OFSTED legislation.</span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">      </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">To attend the South West Forum for Independent Visitors to inform practice around visits and share service development with the Service Managers.</span> <strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Quote Submission:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">We are looking for an experienced organisation, who can provide Independent Regulation 44 Monitoring Visits to our six residential Children’s Homes </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">at times that are convenient for the children. These visits may be unannounced.  </span> <strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">The Organisation or Group:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">We particularly seek a group or organisation who is able to provide experienced staff (preferably experienced Independent Visitors (Reg 44)) who are:    </span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Fully vetted, knowledgeable professionals, trained in conducting thorough, supportive and rigorous monthly visits</span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Have the ability to engage with children, young people, parents and involved professionals to ensure their views are taken into account with the Reg 44 process. </span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Understand the complex needs of children with disabilities and health conditions. </span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Have experience of the approach of positive behaviour support and use of plans that minimise the use of physical intervention by diversion / de-escalation approaches.</span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Have an understanding of relationship-based practice, positive behaviour support, augmented communication styles and evidencing achievement of targets and outcomes within a residential setting.</span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Have professional expertise in either the management and delivery of short breaks and residential care for disabled children, or experience of working in a quality assurance in relation to children’s residential services.</span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to relate to children and young people with differing needs, in a variety of residential settings. </span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Have considerable skill in auditing and inspection, communication and analysis.</span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Have experience or demonstrable ability to write comprehensive reports that provide clear analysis and recommendations on areas for improvement.</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Symbol">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Have e</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%">xperience of using augmented / alternative communication systems such as PECS, BSL / Makaton scheduling etc.</span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Have an excellent understanding of children’s home legislation, national minimum standards, guidance and regulations. </span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Have knowledge of Cornwall & IoS safeguarding policy and procedures.</span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Have experience of the analysis and use of risk management plans.</span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"">         </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Have the ability to deep dive into issues where required, demonstrate ‘professional curiosity’ and act as an ‘early warning system’.</span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)"> </span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)"> </span> <strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif; color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 1)">Please describe and evidence how your organisation, or group will deliver the service, to the requirements above, including demonstrating experience and expertise. Applications will be scored according to the following weighted criteria. Please keep answers concise. (No more than 2000 words).  </span></strong> Keywords: Children's Home, Visits, Monitoring, Residentail, independant, , Regulation 44